Untamed Landscapes: 7 Buildings Carved Out of the Canadian Maritimes

While the two are equally stunning, the Atlantic Maritimes is sometimes forgotten to its towering sibling, the Pacific Northwest.

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While often reduced to shallow stereotypes of polar bears and blizzards, Canada is an expansive and geographically diverse country with natural wonders throughout. Among such diversity, few areas rival the jaw-dropping coastal beauty that is prevalent on either side of the country. While the two are equally stunning, the Atlantic Maritimes is sometimes forgotten to its towering sibling, the Pacific Northwest. However, the following projects destabilize such notions, and encourage us to view, appreciate and relish in the beauty of the Maritimes and its architecture.

Situated in culturally rich landscapes, the following projects intentionally consider and celebrate their local vernacular. For example, both Rabbit Snare Gorge and Black Gables honor and adapt traditional gable architecture, which is deeply embedded in the region’s history. Think “Anne of Green Gables”: the magical tale native to Prince Edward Island. Additionally, the untamed morphology and geography of the Maritimes begs architecture and buildings that work within their surrounding environment. For example, Squish Studio sits majestically atop a jaggedly rocky strip of the coastline. As a result of these considerations, the following collection exhibits buildings that neither disrespect nor get swallowed by their surrounding landscapes.

Squish Studio by Saunders Architecture, Newfoundland, Canada

Squish Studio is located on the eastern end of Fogo Island, an area recently designated by Parks Canada as a National Cultural Landscape District of Canada. Protruding with sharp angular form, the studio sits on a breathtaking rocky strip of the coastline and offers strong contrast from the traditional vernacular of nearby architecture.

Rabbit Snare Gorge by Omar Gandhi Architect, Inverness, Canada

Located on an extremely steep slope, Rabbit Snare Gorge was built to put the surrounding environment on display, and encourage residents to go out and explore its terrain. The cabin is an adapted gabled tower, which allows it to reach above the forest’s canopy with several viewing platforms.

Two Hulls House by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, Nova Scotia, Canada

Two Hulls House is situated in a glaciated, coastal landscape with a cool maritime climate. The geomorphology of the site consists of granite bedrock and boulder till, which creates pristine white sand and turquoise water. With a day pavilion and a night pavilion, the two hulls function as vantage points from which to admire and absorb the surrounding landscape.

Fyren by Omar Gandhi Architect, Halifax, Canada

Fyren sits atop one of the highest sea-side plateaus in the Halifax region. Composed in three levels, the interior of the home is marked by a modern mid-century palette, including walnut, birch, white lacquer and concrete. The internal warmth provides a contrast from the more rigid and formal language of the building’s exterior.

Fogo Island Artist Studios by Saunders Architecture, Newfoundland, Canada

Situated among the untamed landscape of the North Atlantic, Fogo Island is home to a group of independent people “who have lived for centuries between wind and waves in pursuit of fish.” For this project, Saunders Architecture sought to create structures that dignify the landscape and maintain a connection between past, present and future stories. The main concept behind this studio was to be able to witness the environment through all of its seasonal transitions.

Lockeport Beach House by Nova Tayona Architect, Nova Scotia, Canada

As a “beach house,” this project is a bit ironic, because it does not actually possess any views of the beach. Despite being located at the very end of a long stretch of sandy beach, the clients were drawn to the cozy, secluded and treed nature of this site. The shelter provided by the forest and trees, protects the site from the openness of the beach and defends the house against sandbank erosion.

Black Gables by Omar Gandhi Architect, Sydney, Canada

Built using local labor and materials, Black Gables consists of two simple, jet black buildings with metal roofs; one serves as a living space while the other is a studio and darkroom. Positioned at skewed angles, both buildings take advantage of the best possible views and ensure sufficient daylight.